For my degree I have to do a project, and I was allowed to create my own. It will be along the lines of a mod_perl app framework that will allow user customisation, and will provide common functionality via plugins. The first plugin will be a forum / messageboard application.
It will probably use Template Toolkit and Class::DBI to do the majority of the work.
It's at the planning stage, and because this is for university, I have to write specifications and design documents and so on. I might release something by the end of the year, who knows. I'll put my progress reports in my journal here.
If you are interested in this project, please let me know. I will need (or it would be preferable) to have someone using the live system. If you use my system, you will be given full attention, as any problems will need to be sorted out in order for me to get a good mark for this project :)
Drop me a mail at use-perl-spam @ russell.matbouli.org, dropping the -spam, and I'll give you any information that you require.